Combination power and communication electrical wall terminal

ABSTRACT

A combination electrical wall terminal incorporating a communication receptacle and an electric power device such as a convenience power receptacle, a line switch or the like. The electrical wall terminal comprises a junction box for installation in a hollow wall structure, the junction box defining a housing for the electric power device and includes a pair of laterally projecting and vertically spaced apart support flanges mounted to a side wall of the housing. In addition, the electrical wall terminal comprises a wall plate retained to the support flanges, provided with an aperture facing the junction box housing to receive the power device and includes a communication receptacle that fits between the support flanges of the junction box. The invention also extends to a side plate to adapt a conventional knockdown electrical junction box for use in a combination electrical wall terminal according to the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the general field of electrical equipment suchas junction boxes and more particularly to a combination electrical wallterminal with a communication receptacle and an electric power devicesuch as a convenience receptacle, a line switch or the like. Theinvention also extends to an electrical junction box for mounting in ahollow wall structure designed to support the electric power device andthe communication receptacle and to provide a physical separationbetween the respective power and communication conductors. The inventionalso comprehends a combination wall plate for use with the electricaljunction box. Yet, the invention extends to a side plate for adapting aconventional knockdown power electrical junction box for use in acombination electrical wall terminal, according to the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a result of the rapid evolution of communication equipment such asfacsimile machines, micro-computers, telephone recording machines, etc.,the number of communication receptacles that are now normally requiredinto a dwelling or an office facility have greatly increased during thepast years.

In a typical installation, the communication connection for theequipment is provided by attaching to a stud of a hollow wall structurea conventional electrical junction box which serves as a support to awall plate carrying the communication receptacle that receives theterminal line plug of the equipment. For convenience, the communicationoutlet is often located close to a power receptacle.

Since, generally, the electrical junction boxes for the communicationand the power receptacles are mounted on stud members of the hollow wallstructure, the communication and the power wall terminals will be spacedfrom one another by a minimal distance corresponding to the spacingbetween two adjacent stud members which typically are set at 16 or 24inches apart. It would be highly desirable to integrate thecommunication and the power wall terminals so that the communication andthe power cables that come out of the equipment may be grouped into aunitary bundle which is connected to a single location on the wall so asto create, visually speaking, a more pleasant installation.

Although presently available double electrical junction boxes may beemployed to house the power receptacle and to support the wall platecarrying the communication receptacle, thus combining the two wallterminals, such an installation is contrary to electrical coderegulations which do not allow communication and power conductors in thesame conduit or enclosure without a physical barrier between them.

With presently available hardware, locating the power and thecommunication wall terminals adjacent to one another can only beaccomplished by mounting one of the junction boxes on a stud and theother on the wall-board adjacent the stud mounted junction box. For awall-board mounting, a relatively expensive junction box must be usedwhich employs special clamps allowing to fasten the box to thewall-board. The cost of such an installation is fairly high and for thisreason it is not very popular.

OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the invention is to provide a combination powerand communication wall terminal with the necessary physical barrierbetween the communication receptacle and the electric power device, beit a convenience power receptacle, a line switch or the like, which isrelatively inexpensive to produce and simple to install.

In one aspect, the invention provides a combination power andcommunication electrical wall terminal for installation into a hollowwall structure of the type including a plurality of spaced apart studmembers forming a skeleton frame and supporting a generally planarwall-board, the combination power and communication electrical wallterminal comprising:

a) a junction box defining a housing opened toward the wall-board;

b) a electric power device such as a power receptacle, a switch or thelike, mounted in the housing;

c) support flange means mounted to a side wall of the housing andextending laterally therefrom along the wall-board, the support flangemeans defining an opening; and

d) a wall plate mounted to the support flange means, the wall plateincluding a communication receptacle received in the opening andcomprising an aperture engaging the electric power device received intothe housing, the side wall of the housing carrying the support flangemeans constituting a partition between the communication receptacle andthe electric power device.

In another aspect, the invention provides an electrical junction box forinstallation into a hollow wall structure of the type including aplurality of spaced apart stud members forming a skeleton framesupporting a generally planar wall-board, the electrical junction boxcomprising:

a) a plurality of wall portions defining a housing opened toward thewall-board for receiving an electric power device such as a powerreceptacle, a switch or the like;

b) support flange means mounted to a side wall of the housing andextending laterally therefrom along the wall-board, the support flangemeans defining an opening; and

c) fastener engaging means on the support flange means to receive afastener for use in mounting a wall plate incorporating a communicationreceptacle to the support flanges, which is received in the openingdefined by the support flange means and is separated from the electricpower device by the side wall of the housing.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a side plate for forming theside of a knockdown electrical junction box, the side plate comprising:

a) a generally rectangular main body including a front edge;

b) means for releasably retaining the main body to a knockdownelectrical junction box to complete a housing for receiving an electricpower device such as a power receptacle, a switch or the like;

c) support flange means mounted to the main body and projectinglaterally therefrom, the support flange means extending adjacent thefront edge of the main body generally at a right angle to the main bodyand defining an opening; and

d) fastener engaging means on the support flange means to receive afastener for use in mounting a wall plate incorporating a communicationreceptacle to the support flange means, which is received in the openingdefined by the support flange means and is separated from an electricpower device in the housing by the main body.

The invention also extends to a combination wall plate for attachementto an electrical junction box of the type including a housing forreceiving an electric power device such as a power receptacle, a switchor the like, and a support flange means laterally projecting from thehousing, the combination wall plate including:

a) a generally planar integrally formed main body;

b) an aperture on the main body;

c) a communication receptacle mounted to the main body, when thecombination wall plate is mounted to the electrical junction box, thecommunication receptacle is received in the support flange means of theelectrical junction box and the aperture engages the electric powerdevice in the housing.

The invention also comprehends, in combination:

a) an electrical junction box for installation into a hollow wallstructure of the type including a plurality of spaced apart stud membersforming a skeleton frame supporting a generally planar wall-board, theelectrical junction box including a housing opened toward the wall-boardfor receiving an electric power device such as a power receptacle, aswitch or the like, and a support flange means mounted to a side wall ofthe housing and extending laterally therefrom along the wall-board, thesupport flange means defining a seat; and

b) a wall plate mounted to the electrical junction box, the wall plateincluding a generally planar integrally formed main body retained to thesupport flange means, an aperture on the main body facing the housingfor engaging an electric power device to be mounted therein, and acommunication receptacle received in the seat defined by the supportflange means, the side-wall of the housing which carries the supportflange means constituting a partition between the communicationreceptacle and an electric power device to be mounted in the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a communication and power wall terminalinstallation according to a prior art technique;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a combined power andcommunication wall terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wall terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the wall terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the wall terminal illustrated inFIG. 2, the wall plate being partly cut away;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box of thecombination wall terminal illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box according toa variant; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further variant of the electricaljunction box.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used todesignate similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a power wall terminal and acommunication wall terminal installed in a conventional manner. Theterminals, identified generally by the reference numerals 10 and 12, aremounted into a hollow wall structure including a skeleton frame formedby a plurality of spaced apart stud members 14 which are covered by aplanar wall-board 16. The power wall terminal 10 includes a metallicelectrical junction box 18 secured to one of the studs 14 and houses aconventional dual power receptacle 20 secured to the box 18 by means ofscrews 22. A wall plate 24 is provided with two vertically spaced apartapertures for receiving the bosses of the receptacle 20 and is mountedto the latter by means of a central screw 26.

The communication wall terminal 12 presents some similitudes with thepower terminal 10 in that it also uses a metallic electrical junctionbox 18 which serves to hold a wall plate 28 incorporating acommunication receptacle 30. The wall plate 28 is secured to thejunction box 18 by means of screws 26.

The drawback of this prior art installation resides in that the powerand communication wall terminals are separated from one another as aresult of mounting the junction box 18 of each terminal to a differentstud member. As it has been mentioned earlier in this disclosure, it ishighly desirable to group the two terminals into a single unit.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a combined power and communication wall terminalaccording to the invention. The wall terminal, comprehensivelyidentified by the reference numeral 32 comprises a metallic electricaljunction box 34 which is used to support a combination wall plate 35incorporating a communication receptacle 30 and apertures for matingwith a dual power receptacle. The structure of the junction box 34 willbe described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. The box 34 is made ofsheet metal by stamping and comprises a wall structure including anupper wall 36, a lower wall 38, a bottom wall 40 and side walls 42 and44 respectively. This wall structure defines a generally rectangularhousing 45 which is adapted to receive a dual power receptacle 20, ofthe type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a line switch or any other suitableelectric power device designed to be installed into a junction box. Thereceptacle 20 is secured in the housing 45 by means of screws 22. Thenovel feature of the electrical junction box 34 resides in the provisionof a pair of vertically spaced apart support flanges 46 which aregenerally at a right angle to the side wall 44 and lie in the plane ofthe opening of the housing 45 which coincides with the plane of thewall-board 16 when the junction box 34 is mounted to a stud member asshown in FIG. 2. The flanges 46 which constitute a mounting and supportsystem for the portion of the combination plate 35 that carries thecommunication receptacle 30, are vertically spaced apart from oneanother by a distance so as to accomodate wall plates with single ordouble communication receptacles. Each support flange is provided with apair of tapped openings 48 to receive wall plate mounting screws 26located above and below the communication receptacle 30. A pair oftapped openings is provided in each flange to accomodate wall plateshaving different mounting screw hole schemes. In addition, the supportflanges are provided with longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 47.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the electrical junction box 34is made from metal as a one-piece component. It may also be envisaged tomake the electrical junction box from a non-metal material such asplastic.

FIG. 7 illustrates a variant of the electrical junction box 34. In thisembodiment, the support flanges 46 are separately formed and areattached to the side wall of a conventional electrical junction box.More specifically, the support flanges 46 are integrally formed with aconnection tab 50 in the form of a flat metallic strip which lies flatagainst the side wall of the electrical junction box and is consequentlyat a right angle to the flanges 46. The tab 50 may be secured to theelectrical junction box by welding, rivets or screws.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the electrical junction boxwhich is more specifically adapted to be used with conventionalknockdown electrical junction boxes that are commonly referred to as"gangable". These boxes have removable side walls so that they can begrouped together to accomodate a plurality of power receptacles,switches or similar devices. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a side plate52 is provided which incorporates the support flanges 46. A unitarymetallic construction is preferred however, the flanges may beseparately provided on the rectangular body of the wall 52 adjacent thefront edge thereof such as by means of a retaining tab 50 described inconnection with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. The side plate 52is also provided with releasable connectors so that it may be attachedto the knockdown electrical junction box 47. The structure of theseconnectors is not described in detail because they are well known tothose skilled in the art.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 to 5, the combination wall plate 35 includes amain rectangular body 54 made integrally of plastic, metal or any othersuitable material, that carries the communication receptacle 30 at onelateral extremity while at the other, it is provided with two apertures56 to accomodate the bosses of the duplex power receptacle 20 mounted inthe electrical junction box 34. The plate 35 is secured to the box 34 bymeans of screws 26. One of these screws passes through a hole providedbetween the opening 56 and engages the receptacle 20. Two other screwsare provided above and below the communication receptacle 30 and engageeach a tapped opening 48 in a corresponding support flange 46 of theelectrical junction box 34.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to thecombination of a power receptacle and a communication receptacle asother power devices which are normally designed to be mounted in anelectrical junction box, such as a line switch for example, may beassociated with the communication receptacle. It is to be understoodthat the apertures 56, in the wall plate 35 will be modified to suit thespecific power device used. In a similar manner, a variety ofcommunication receptacles may be provided on the plate 35 withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Example are: telephonejacks, coaxial cable connectors, computer data line connectors, etc.

The combined power and communication wall terminal 32 is installed invery similar fashion as conventional power or communication wallterminals. The electrical junction box 34 is mounted in a normal mannerto a stud member the only difference being that a wider opening is madein the wall-board 16 in order to accomodate the flanges 46 and thecommunication receptacle 30 to be received therebetween. The power cablein the housing 45 is connected to a dual power receptacle or anotherpower device which is then secured to the junction box 34 by the screws20. The communication cable in the wall is connected to thecommunication receptacle 30 and then the wall plate 35 is secured to thebox 34 by means of the three mounting screws 26. It will be appreciatedthat when the installation is completed, the side wall 44 of theelectrical junction box 34 which carries the support flanges 46 forms apartition between the power receptacle 20 and the communicationreceptacle 30 and their respective conductors.

The above description of various preferred embodiments of this inventionshould not be interpreted in any limiting manner as variations andrefinements of these embodiments are possible without departing from thespirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined in theannexed claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A combination power andcommunication electrical wall terminal for installation into a hollowwall structure of the type including a plurality of spaced apart studmembers forming a skeleton frame and supporting a generally planarwall-board, said combination power and communication wall terminalcomprising:a) an electrical junction box defining a housing openedtoward said wall-board; b) an electric power device such as a powerreceptacle, a switch or the like, mounted in said housing; c) supportflange means mounted to a side wall of said housing and extendinglaterally therefrom along said wall-board, said support flange meansdefining an opening; and d) a wall plate mounted to said support flangemeans, said wall plate including a communication receptacle received insaid opening and aperture means for engaging said electric power device,said side wall constituting a partition between said communicationreceptacle and said power device.
 2. A combination power andcommunication electrical wall terminal as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid support flange means comprises two vertically spaced apart supportflanges.
 3. A combination power and communication wall terminal asdefined in claim 2, wherein each support flange comprises a mounting tabmeans at a generally right angle thereto for securing the support flangeto said side wall.
 4. A combination power and communication wallterminal as defined in claim 3, wherein said mounting tab means isreleasably mounted to said side wall.
 5. A combination power andcommunication wall terminal as defined in claim 2, wherein said supportflanges are releasably retained to said side wall.
 6. A combinationpower and communication wall terminal as defined in claim 2, whereineach support flange comprises a tapped opening for receiving a wallplate mounting screw.
 7. A combination power and communication wallterminal as defined in claim 6, wherein each support flange comprises aplurality of tapped openings to accomodate wall plates having differentmounting screw hole schemes.
 8. A combination power and communicationwall terminal as defined in claim 2, wherein each support flangecomprises a stiffening rib.
 9. A combination power and communicationwall terminal as defined in claim 1, wherein said side wall is removablefrom said housing.
 10. A combination power and communication wallterminal as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall plate includes arectangular and generally planar main body which is integrally made. 11.A combination power and communication wall terminal as defined in claim1, wherein said electric power device is a dual power receptacle.
 12. Aside plate for forming the side of a knockdown electrical junction box,said side plate comprising:a generally rectangular main body; means forreleasably retaining said main body to a knockdown electrical junctionbox to complete a housing for receiving an electrical power device suchas a power receptacle, a switch or the like; and support flange meansfor use in mounting a wall plate mounted to said main body and laterallyprojecting therefrom, said support flange means extending adjacent to afront edge of said main body generally at a right angle to said mainbody and defining an opening; wherein said support flange means includestwo vertically spaced apart support flanges.
 13. A side plate as definedin claim 12, wherein each support flange comprises a mounting tab meansextending at a right angle thereto for retaining the support flange tosaid main body.
 14. A side plate as defined in claim 13, wherein saidmounting tab means is releasably mounted to said main body.
 15. A sideplate as defined in claim 12, wherein said support flanges areintegrally formed with said main body.
 16. A side plate as defined inclaim 12, wherein each support flange comprises a tapped opening forreceiving a screw.
 17. A side plate as defined in claim 16, wherein eachsupport flange comprises a plurality of tapped openings to accomodatewall plates having different mounting screw hole schemes.
 18. A sideplate as defined in claim 12, wherein each support flange comprises astiffening rib.
 19. An electrical outlet junction box for installationinto a hollow wall structure of the type including a plurality of spacedapart stud members forming a skeleton frame supporting a generallyplanar wall-board, said electrical junction box comprising:a pluralityof wall portions defining a housing opened toward the wall-board forreceiving and electrical device such as a power receptacle, a switch orthe like; and a support flange means for mounting a wall plate mountedto a side wall of said housing and extending laterally therefrom alongthe wall-board, said support flange means defining an opening; whereinsaid support flange means comprises a pair of vertically spaced apartsupport flanges.
 20. An electrical junction box as defined in claim 19,wherein said support flanges are releasably mounted to said side wall.21. An electrical junction box as defined in claim 19, wherein eachsupport flange comprises a pair of tapped openings to accomodate wallplates having different mounting screw holes schemes.
 22. An electricaljunction box as defined in claim 19, wherein each support flangeincludes a stiffening rib.
 23. An electrical junction box forinstallation into a hollow wall structure of the type including aplurality of spaced apart stud members forming a skeleton framesupporting a generally planar wall-board, said electrical junction boxcomprising:a plurality of wall portions defining a housing opened towardthe wall-board for receiving and electrical device such as a powerreceptacle, a switch or the like; and a support flange means formounting a wall plate mounted to a side wall of said housing andextending laterally therefrom along the wall-board, said support flangemeans defining an opening; wherein said support flange means comprises atapped opening for receiving a screw.
 24. In combination:a) anelectrical junction box for installation into a hollow wall structure ofthe type including a plurality of spaced apart stud members forming askeleton frame supporting a generally planar wall-board, said electricaljunction box including a housing opened toward the wall-board forreceiving an electrical power device such as a power receptacle, aswitch or the like, and a supporting flange means mounted to a side wallof said housing and extending laterally therefrom along the wall-board,said supporting flange means defining a seat; and b) a wall platemounted to said electrical junction box, said wall plate including agenerally planar integrally formed main body retained to said supportingflange means, an aperture on said main body facing said housing forengaging an electrical power device to be mounted therein, and acommunication receptacle received in said seat, said side wallconstituting a partition between said communication receptacle and anelectric power device to be mounted in said housing.
 25. A combinationas defined in claim 24, wherein said supporting flange means comprisestwo vertically spaced apart support flanges.
 26. A combination asdefined in claim 25, wherein each support flange comprises a mountingtab means at a generally right angle thereto for securing the supportflange to said side wall.
 27. A combination as defined in claim 25,wherein said support flanges are releasably retained to said housing.28. A combination as defined in claim 25, wherein each support flangecomprises a stiffening rib.
 29. A combination as defined in claim 24,wherein said supporting flange means comprises a tapped opening forreceiving a wall plate mounting screw.